First Time Caller adapts a podcast into a quick hit of sci-fi delirium
"You read The Secret and now you think you have the cheat code to pussy?" lives "Brent Free" in your head.
Releasing today on VOD across all platforms comes a deviously delightful quickhit of cosmic sci-fi comedy grounded some very deep, toxic human personalities. It’s one of the easiest recommendations we’ve had in months for a flawless way to spend just over an hour in a bit of genre short fiction big on pacing and not ever once. letting up on new twists, turns, and generally
First Time Caller, the feature adaptation of the fan-favorite podcast “The Earth Moves” from directors J.D. Brynn and Abe Goldfarb. Based on Gideon Media’s acclaimed podcast, First Time Caller is a darkly hilarious look at success, power, loneliness and the apocalypse.
Brent Ziff is an internet shock-jock at the top of his game. Fans and followers tune in from coast to coast to be insulted and enlightened by their favorite on-air provocateur. But on one very unusual night, Brent’s world is rocked by a long-time listener who calls in with a grave message.
The kind of film that wants to skewer the toxic podcast guy usually swings too far cartoonish or lacks the skill to smell the idea that this is a broadcaster with a dedicated following. No such issue here, as the Brent Ziff character is delivered with so much shit-eating glee that he bounces through the screen in the opening moments. The eccentric filming and arranging of what is essentially a two man play in a single location add just enough visual flair to keep your eyes darting but never extends to the place where anything except our central dialogue is the focus. That said, watching these two characters peel back the layers of a near-apocalyptic mystery while also getting their fingers into each others sinew? Addicting. I’d say that I could watch a whole season of TV around this, but it’s a perfect story delivered economically, passionately, and in such a joyful quickhit of cosmic horror that a dozen similar films I plowed through in the last year should be jealous of how simply they were upstaged.
Abe Goldfarb and Brian Silliman reprise their roles from “The Earth Moves” as Brent and Leo, alongside vocal performances from Greg Proops, Ophira Eisenberg, and Ashlie Atkinson. Mac Rogers, who penned the original podcast, adapted the script.
The film is out on VOD everywhere today, and well worth your time and support.
First Time Caller debuts on Cable and Digital VOD January 12, 2024, including Prime Video, Vudu, Vubiquity, Cox, and Comcast.
Check out the original podcast here.
